Translation guide
A cistern is a container for storing water, often underground or as part of a toilet system. In Japanese, the word used depends on the context: a water storage tank, a toilet flush tank, or a historical/architectural cistern.
A large tank for storing water, often for household or agricultural use.
General term for a water storage tank, including cisterns. Commonly used for large tanks.
雨水を貯水槽にためている。
We are collecting rainwater in the cistern.
Water tank or cistern, but can also refer to smaller tanks like aquariums. Context clarifies size.
地下に大きな水槽がある。
There is a large cistern underground.
Loanword from English 'tank'. Often used for water tanks in technical or everyday contexts.
屋上に貯水タンクを設置した。
We installed a water storage tank (cistern) on the rooftop.
The part of a toilet that holds water for flushing.
Common term for toilet cistern. Literally 'toilet tank'.
トイレタンクの水が流れない。
The toilet cistern won't flush.
More technical term for toilet cistern, using 'benki' (toilet bowl).
便器タンクの修理が必要だ。
The toilet cistern needs repair.
Specifically a low-level toilet cistern, often wall-mounted. From 'low tank'.
ロータンク式のトイレは掃除がしやすい。
Toilets with a low-level cistern are easy to clean.
An underground or large stone cistern, often in historical contexts like Roman or Ottoman cisterns.
Underground cistern. Used for historical or modern underground water storage.
イスタンブールの地下貯水槽を見学した。
We visited the underground cistern in Istanbul.
Reservoir or cistern, often for larger open-air or covered water storage. Can be historical.
古代ローマの貯水池は今も残っている。
Ancient Roman cisterns still remain today.
Latin-derived term used in archaeology for a Roman water cistern or distribution basin.
遺跡からカステルムが発見された。
A cistern (castellum) was discovered at the ruins.
The direct loanword シスタン (shisutan) is rarely used and may not be understood. Use context-appropriate terms like 貯水槽 or トイレタンク instead.